Lecture 23. Pharmacology

Question 1

What do neurotransmitters do at synapses ?

Answer 1

Diffuse short distances and bind to receptors on target cells

Question 2

What are motor neurons ?

Answer 2

Final common pathway by which various regions of the CNS exert control over skeletal muscle activity

Question 3

What areas are influenced by motor neurons ?

Answer 3

Spinal cord, motor regions of the cortex, basal nuclei, cerebellum and brainstem

Question 4

What is an example of a neurotransmitter ?

Answer 4

Acetylcholine

Question 5

What are acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction ?

Answer 5

Nicotonic

Question 6

What happens when acetylcholine receptors are activated ?

Answer 6

Ion channels open allowing influx of current and depolarisation of cell

Question 7

What is the function of acetylcholinesterase ?

Answer 7

Inactivates acetylcholine, ends the end-plate potential and the action potential and resultant contraction

Question 8

What does black widow spider venom do ?

Answer 8

Cause explosive release of acetylcholine resulting in prolonged depolarisation and respiratory failure

Question 9

What does botulinim do ?

Answer 9

Blocks the release of acetylcholine causing flacid paralysis

Question 10

What does curare do ?

Answer 10

Blocks the action of acetylcholine at receptor sites (antagonist competitive with acetylcholine)

Question 11

What do organophosphates (sarin) do ?

Answer 11

Prevent inactivation of acetylcholine resulting lung muscle paralysis

Question 12

What is a modified part of sympathetic nervous system ?

Answer 12

Adrenal medulla

Question 13

What is the adrenal medulla ?

Answer 13

A modified sympathetic ganglion that does not give rise to postganglionic fibres

Question 14

What prompts secretion of hormones into blood ?

Answer 14

Stimulation of preganglionic fiber

Question 15

What are the two neurotransmitters in the autonomic nervous system ?

Answer 15

1. Acetylcholine

2. Noradrenaline

Question 16

Where is the sympathetic acetylcholine secreted from ?

Answer 16

Pre-ganglionic neuron

Question 17

Where is the sympathetic noradrenaline secreted from ?

Answer 17

Post-ganglionic neuron

Question 18

What causes the release of adrenaline from adrenal gland ?

Answer 18

Noradrenaline

Question 19

In the parasympathetic system, where is acetylcholine released from ?

Answer 19

Both pre-ganglionic and post-ganglionic neurons

Question 20

What are the cholinergic receptors ?

Answer 20

1. Nicotinic receptors

2. Muscarinic receptors

Question 21

What is the function of the cholinergic receptor ?

Answer 21

Binds acetylcholine

Question 22

Where is nicotinic receptor found on ?

Answer 22

Postganglionic cell bodies of all autonomic receptors

Question 23

Where is the muscarinic receptor found ?

Answer 23

On the effector cell membrane

Question 24

What is the function of andrenergic receptors ?

Answer 24

Binds noradrenaline and adrenaline

Question 25

What is the function of the receptor agonist ?

Answer 25

Binds to same receptor as neurotransmitter and elicits an effect that mimics that of a neurotransmitter

Question 26

What is the function of the receptor antagonist ?

Answer 26

Binds to the receptor and blocks the neurotransmitter response

Question 27

What can regions of CNS involved in control of autonomic activities be influenced by ?

Answer 27

Prefrontal cortex through its involvement with emotional expression characteristic of individual's personality

Question 28

What plays an important role in integrating autonomic, somatic and endocrine responses ?

Answer 28

Hypothalamus

Question 29

What is the region directly responsible for autonomic output ?

Answer 29

Medulla within brain stem

Question 30

What are the autonomic reflexes integrated at spinal cord level ?

Answer 30

Urination, defecation and erection

Question 31

What are two examples of the use of autonomic nervous system pharmacology in clinical practice ?

Answer 31

1. Bronchodilator | 2. Metroprolol

Question 32

What is the bronchodilator - salbutamol ?

Answer 32

B2- adrenergic agonist

Question 33

Where are the B2-adrenergic receptors found ?

Answer 33

The predominant receptors on bronchial smooth muscle

Question 34

How do bronchodilator drugs act ?

Answer 34

They act on receptors to mimic the effect of the endogenous neurotransmitter, widening bronchioles and making it easier to breathe

Question 35

What is the metoprolol ?

Answer 35

An anti-hypertensive that blocks B1 adrenergic receptors

Question 36

Where are B1 adrenergic receptors found ?

Answer 36

In heart muscle cells

Question 37

What do B-blockers do ?

Answer 37

Block the effect of sympathetic nerves, decreasing heart rate and helping to lower blood pressure

Question 38

What are some common neurotransmitters ?

Answer 38

1. Acetylcholine 2. Dopamine 3. Noradrenaline 4. Adrenaline 5. Serotonin 6. Histamine 7. Glycine 8. Glutamate 9. Aspartate 10. GABA

Question 39

What is the blood brain barrier ?

Answer 39

How blood vessels are arranged in the brain

Question 40

What makes the blood brain barrier effective ?

Answer 40

Tight junctions between endothelial cells lining cerebral blood vessels